South Dakota architecture firms captured two American Institute of Architects (AIA) South Dakota Honor Awards and three Merit Awards during this week’s AIA South Dakota annual conference.
AIA South Dakota presents its 2023 design awards
Representing the Work of a Master in the National Register of Historic Places
by Liz Almlie, Historic Preservation Specialist- South Dakota State Historical Society Of properties recognized in the National Register of Historic Places, one slice of them are nominated as the work of a master architect or craftsperson, which could also include builders, landscape architects, bridge engineers, and others. These are places that best represent their body …
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AIA South Dakota Advocacy in Pierre 2023
The 2023 South Dakota legislative session has been a busy one, although the number of bills decreased from 2022. During the session last year, the legislature considered a total of 553 bills; this year, only 450 bills were filed. On behalf of AIA South Dakota, I review all of those bills and forward any items …
AIA South Dakota presents its 2022 design awards
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota architecture firms captured one American Institute of Architects (AIA) South Dakota Honor Award and three Merit Awards during AIA South Dakota’s recent annual conference. JLG Architects of Sioux Falls and Rapid City won an Honor Award in Architecture for the Dakota State University Cyber Lab in Madison (featured photo). The facility houses a …
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AIA SD Member profile – Jamie Ohrt
AIA SD member profile of Jamie Ohrt, Assoc. AIA, Architectural Graduate, TSP, Inc.
AIA South Dakota presents its 2021 design awards
South Dakota architecture firms captured one American Institute of Architecture (AIA) South Dakota Honor Award, two Merit Awards and one People’s Choice Award during AIA South Dakota’s recent annual conference.
Arlt, Kramer recognized as Young Architect Award winners
AIA South Dakota is awarding South Dakota architects Robert Arlt, AIA, CPHC, and Chase Kramer, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA each with the chapter’s Young Architect Award for their leadership, service and contributions to the architecture profession and the community as a whole. Arlt and Kramer will be honored during the AIA South Dakota Design Awards …
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AIA South Dakota honoring Chicoine as Champion of Architecture
Former South Dakota State University President David Chicoine has been named the 2021 AIA South Dakota Champion of Architecture.
Cast your vote for the 2021 AIA SD Design Awards People’s Choice Award
The American Indian Student Center is meant to recognize many cultural traditions, celebrate them, and foster unity among cultures. It is a home for those away from their tribal home and a gathering place for a wider understanding of one another’s culture. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
The American Indian Student Center is meant to recognize many cultural traditions, celebrate them, and foster unity among cultures. It is a home for those away from their tribal home and a gathering place for a wider understanding of one another’s culture. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
The Avera Medical Group Family Health Center is designed for convenient outpatient care and emergency services for the more than 45,000 residents of the Sioux Falls community live west of interstate 29. This 3-story, 85,000 SF building is serving the needs of these residents, including primary care, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, urgent care, optometry, physical therapy, on-site laboratory, radiology, and medical imaging services, and South Dakota’s first free standing, 24-hour emergency department. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert - Cipher Imaging) 
The Avera Medical Group Family Health Center is designed for convenient outpatient care and emergency services for the more than 45,000 residents of the Sioux Falls community live west of interstate 29. This 3-story, 85,000 SF building is serving the needs of these residents, including primary care, internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, urgent care, optometry, physical therapy, on-site laboratory, radiology, and medical imaging services, and South Dakota’s first free standing, 24-hour emergency department. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert - Cipher Imaging) 
The Citizens Building is a historic renovation & addition located in Downtown Aberdeen. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Megan Stenzel) 
The Citizens Building is a historic renovation & addition located in Downtown Aberdeen. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Megan Stenzel) 
The Fairburn is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Rapid City. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Kenzie Trujillo, Nate Krueger) 
The Fairburn is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Rapid City. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Elsie McGuigan, Kenzie Trujillo, Nate Krueger) 
The Falcon is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Sioux Falls. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Tessa Klarenbeek, Ali Kummer) 
The Falcon is a mixed-use building located in Downtown Sioux Falls. This project was completed as part of a summer intern design studio (Friends & Citizens), focusing on projects that hope to elevate architectural and public policy components in communities around South Dakota. (Photo credit: Becca Woytassek, Tessa Klarenbeek, Ali Kummer) 
Greenhouse Plaza, not only a place where people can purchase plants or enhance their outdoor environments, but also a vibrant community asset, hosting a wide variety of events and gatherings. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Greenhouse Plaza, not only a place where people can purchase plants or enhance their outdoor environments, but also a vibrant community asset, hosting a wide variety of events and gatherings. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The new Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area was driven by a desire to engage visitors with the pioneering heritage of South Dakota, and the traditional agrarian forms of early homesteading. While the original structure, erected in the 70s, was torn down to welcome new construction, the site continues to welcome weary travelers entering the State via Interstate 29 near its border with Iowa. With a clean slate for the building’s design, the organization of the 6,000 square foot project simplifies the task of Travel Councilors and tourism promotion, while paying homage to the State’s history and site’s existing tipi (teepee); one of nine pre-stressed concrete lodgepole structures positioned throughout the State and designed by South Dakota architect, Walt Whitwam. As one of the State’s most frequented rest stops – at times greeting upwards of 96,600 visitors per year – the Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area’s impact is far and wide. Today, this popular pit stop is a re-inspired destination with newly defined spaces to greet visitors, connect tourists to events and activities, promote holistic wellness, and provide education in the realm of historic connection and storytelling in the new exhibit hall. (Photo credit: Steve Silverman) 
The new Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area was driven by a desire to engage visitors with the pioneering heritage of South Dakota, and the traditional agrarian forms of early homesteading. While the original structure, erected in the 70s, was torn down to welcome new construction, the site continues to welcome weary travelers entering the State via Interstate 29 near its border with Iowa. With a clean slate for the building’s design, the organization of the 6,000 square foot project simplifies the task of Travel Councilors and tourism promotion, while paying homage to the State’s history and site’s existing tipi (teepee); one of nine pre-stressed concrete lodgepole structures positioned throughout the State and designed by South Dakota architect, Walt Whitwam. As one of the State’s most frequented rest stops – at times greeting upwards of 96,600 visitors per year – the Homestead Visitor Center and Rest Area’s impact is far and wide. Today, this popular pit stop is a re-inspired destination with newly defined spaces to greet visitors, connect tourists to events and activities, promote holistic wellness, and provide education in the realm of historic connection and storytelling in the new exhibit hall. (Photo credit: Steve Silverman) 
The Link fills the need for a safe place for the assessment of people in crisis needing behavioral health services or substance abuse care in Sioux Falls, SD. This interior renovation is the result of a public-private partnership with the goal of providing care for people and connecting them to services that can help. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert - Cipher Imaging) 
The Link fills the need for a safe place for the assessment of people in crisis needing behavioral health services or substance abuse care in Sioux Falls, SD. This interior renovation is the result of a public-private partnership with the goal of providing care for people and connecting them to services that can help. (Photo credit: Brian Rotert - Cipher Imaging) 
The NSU Regional Sports Complex will be the premier sporting complex in the region, helping Northern achieve 50 years of academic and athletic success. The hope is that this facility leads to better recruits, more winning, more applications, more donors, more funding, better learning facilities, and better academics. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The NSU Regional Sports Complex will be the premier sporting complex in the region, helping Northern achieve 50 years of academic and athletic success. The hope is that this facility leads to better recruits, more winning, more applications, more donors, more funding, better learning facilities, and better academics. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Raven Industries Engineered Films Building addition drew inspiration from the manufacturing process of the films and is punctuated by layered linear design elements throughout. The addition provides updated amenity spaces for the employees and a new appearance those employees could be proud of. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The Raven Industries Engineered Films Building addition drew inspiration from the manufacturing process of the films and is punctuated by layered linear design elements throughout. The addition provides updated amenity spaces for the employees and a new appearance those employees could be proud of. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
Sauna Cube is an 8x8x8 volume articulated in 5 frames with a slice to create a skylight face allowing early morning sun into the wood interior as well as views out into the tree canopy. In winter, snow and ice is melted and causes the building to “sweat “ like the occupant, with visible streams running down the transparent surface. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Sauna Cube is an 8x8x8 volume articulated in 5 frames with a slice to create a skylight face allowing early morning sun into the wood interior as well as views out into the tree canopy. In winter, snow and ice is melted and causes the building to “sweat “ like the occupant, with visible streams running down the transparent surface. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center showcases South Dakota State University’s dedication, commitment, and the importance of the arts to the campus and the community. The expansion fosters integrated learning and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, faculty, and visitors. (Photo credit: Tom Kessler Photography) 
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center showcases South Dakota State University’s dedication, commitment, and the importance of the arts to the campus and the community. The expansion fosters integrated learning and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, faculty, and visitors. (Photo credit: Tom Kessler Photography) 
The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a vibrant new school setting and dorm for K-12 students with visual impairments for the State of South Dakota. It balances a comfortable setting with subtle details that appropriately teach those with vision impairments how to navigate the built environment, and it playfully uses texture throughout the facility to bring the public into that experience. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a vibrant new school setting and dorm for K-12 students with visual impairments for the State of South Dakota. It balances a comfortable setting with subtle details that appropriately teach those with vision impairments how to navigate the built environment, and it playfully uses texture throughout the facility to bring the public into that experience. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated, veterans cemetery in South Dakota. This 60-acre property offers a picturesque setting in northereastern Sioux Falls, conveniently located along Interstate 90. (Photo credit: Jesse Wilkens) 
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated, veterans cemetery in South Dakota. This 60-acre property offers a picturesque setting in northereastern Sioux Falls, conveniently located along Interstate 90. (Photo credit: Jesse Wilkens) 
“The Last Jewel in the Crown of Historic Downtown” reopened its doors to moviegoers in December 2020, a remarkable feat given the fact that the world was just starting to recover from the pandemic. The State Theatre Renovation and reopening has contributed to the revitalization of downtown Sioux Falls, enhancing the experience for generations to come. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
“The Last Jewel in the Crown of Historic Downtown” reopened its doors to moviegoers in December 2020, a remarkable feat given the fact that the world was just starting to recover from the pandemic. The State Theatre Renovation and reopening has contributed to the revitalization of downtown Sioux Falls, enhancing the experience for generations to come. (Photo credit: Cipher Imaging) 
Urban Nest is a net zero energy ready Urban Refill home for a family with two young sons just south of downtown Sioux Falls in a well-established, walkable neighborhood. The stacked front porch features W-flange steel columns, adding to the variety of columns seen on the street and contemporary slat detailing is used to screen views to the second level porch but frame views toward downtown. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
Urban Nest is a net zero energy ready Urban Refill home for a family with two young sons just south of downtown Sioux Falls in a well-established, walkable neighborhood. The stacked front porch features W-flange steel columns, adding to the variety of columns seen on the street and contemporary slat detailing is used to screen views to the second level porch but frame views toward downtown. (Photo credit: Architecture Firm) 
The Wilmot Welcome Center responds to the existing facility’s vernacular and the region’s rolling topography to provide a new and engaging visitor experience for those visiting and passing through South Dakota’s northern border. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere) 
The Wilmot Welcome Center responds to the existing facility’s vernacular and the region’s rolling topography to provide a new and engaging visitor experience for those visiting and passing through South Dakota’s northern border. (Photo credit: Imagery Photography/Jeff Viere)
Representing Cities We Love: Spearfish
For the month of July, we have focused our articles on topics related to the Black Hills, including highlights from the Design in the Hills conference. Though it is important to celebrate the work of our fellow designers in these cities, it is also important to celebrate and learn about the communites in which these …